Petco™ Unites Adoption Advocates Through National Adoption Reunion Celebration

Inaugural Celebration Honors and Unites the Many Who Have Helped Save the Life

of a Homeless Animal in Hopes of Rescuing Millions More

San Diego, CA (October 2011) – According to the ASPCA, only 10-20 percent of US pets are adopted from shelters and rescues. Sadly, the number of adoptions compared to the 5-7 million cats and dogs entering shelters each year leaves several million still in need of a home. To put a spotlight on pet adoption and the urgent need for volunteers, Petco™ and Unleashed by Petco will celebrate the company’s anniversary with a “National Adoption Reunion” October 8-9, 2011. Reunion and adoption events will be hosted at every Petco store for families who have adopted through the 7,000 animal welfare groups that partner with the Petco Foundation, the retailer’s nonprofit organization that has helped find homes for over 3 million pets.

“Petco has always been a strong advocate of pet adoption and the anniversary events are really meant to reinforce the human-animal bond that is so important to us,” says Greg Seremetis, Vice President of Marketing for Petco. “We hope that by creating a national community of adoption supporters and sharing their touching personal stories, we will inspire others to consider pet adoption and volunteer, ultimately finding homes for the millions of shelter animals.”

To kick off the National Adoption Reunion weekend celebrations, on October 4, 2011 Petco will attempt to set the Guinness World Record for “Largest Gathering of Adopted Shelter Animals” in Central Park. In addition to the in-store reunions, Petco is offering several ways to participate, share pet adoption stories, volunteer, and most importantly, help save a life:

Stories of Love: By uploading photos and videos of adopted pets to www.petco.com/reunion, participants will inspire others to adopt as well as have a chance to have their pet featured in an upcoming Petco advertising campaign. For every person who uploads their story online, Petco will donate *$1 to pet adoption organizations across the country. Additionally, participants can win a variety of other prizes such as Sony products and Petco gift cards and other pet-related goodies September 1 through October 31, 2011.

Lend a Hand: One of the most requested means of support from animal welfare groups is volunteer support. Petco has partnered with VolunteerMatch for the new PETCO C.A.R.E.S. program to connect people with volunteer opportunities at more than 73,000 non-profit organizations. Search local volunteer opportunities and donate time to local pet adoption organizations by visiting the www.petco.com/reunion homepage.

Social “Pet” Working: Simply check-in via Facebook at any Petco location during the National Adoption Reunion October 8-9 and Petco will donate *$1 to pet adoption organizations across the country.

Open Your Heart & Home: Attend an adoption celebration at one of the 1,100 stores nationwide and adopt a new member of the family.

Local Celebrations: The weekend of October 8-9, 2011, 27 specially chosen Petco locations across the U.S. will host mega-adoption events. Guests are also invited to bring their own adopted pet to the celebration to have their picture perfect love captured in free photos. The first 50 guests each day will also receive a one-of-a-kind “National Adoption Celebration” commemorative pet collar charm.

*Total combined donations by PETCO not to exceed $10,000.

Visit www.petco.com/reunion for more information.

CONTACT:

Mia West

619.501.2756

mwest@west-pr.com  

About PETCO™

PETCO is a privately held specialty retailer that provides products, services and advice that make it easier for our customers to be great pet parents. We operate nearly 1,100 stores in 50 states and the District of Columbia, as well as a leading pet products and information destination at www.petco.com. Our nonprofit organization, The PETCO Foundation, has raised more than $75 million since its inception in 1999 to help promote and improve the welfare of companion animals. In conjunction with the Foundation, we work with and support approximately 7,000 local animal welfare groups across the country to help find homes for more than 200,000 adoptable animals every year.

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